Bolted box corner construction



July 25, 1961 T. H. LAcEY BCLTED Box CORNER CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 4, 1959 /Nvf/s/TOR Thomas H Lacj/ 2,993,637 BOLIED BOX CORNER CONSTRUCTION Thomas H. Lacey, Siler City, N.C., assignor of seventyfive percent to James Thomas Zrakas,.Wilson, NiC. Filed Aug. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 831,657 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-49) This invention relates to fthe packaging and handling of commodities for shipment, storage, and the like, and more particularly to boxes, cartons or receptacles employed in such operations and which boxes, cartons and receptacles are capable of bein-g disposed flat or in setup condition.

The invention relates specific-ally to a container which is disposed in substantially ilat condition and from which it can be folded into form and the joints between the adjacent portions of the flaps connected so that it can be used for containing commodities of various kinds.

Containers or receptacles in the form of boxes or cartons of sheet material of sufficient strength and adapted to be folded into shape from a generally flat condition have been in use for many years and these have employed various types of joints some of which have been interlocking. These have been subject to criticisms for various reasons including the cost, lthe nature of the joint, the effort necessary in folding, and the like.

It is :an object of the invention to provide an improved lock joint between a pair of sheets or members in order to provide a strong durable structure in which the joint is the strongest portion of the structure and which joint may readily be combined or separated without weakening the parts which constitute the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide cooperating terminal portions of metal or other strong material for a pair o-f members to be joined and each of which will fit within the other so that the joints may be made in two different ways as well as a terminal portion or connector which is solidly attached to the member conneeted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective illustrating one application of the invention;

FIG. 2, an enlarged fragmentary detail perspective of one corner of a box in folded condition;

FIG. 3, an enlarged fragmentary detail perspective of one corner of a box in flat condition;

FIG. 4, an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5, an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

Briey stated, the present invention is a box corner construction or joint composed of a pair of hermaphroditic structures either of which may readily be fitted into or receive the other and being attached to each side of a board to be united at its corner to another so that when the sides are folded together and united to form a box such sides will be reinforced and firmly held. The contiguous portions of the joint are L-shaped so that either may t over or within the other and each of the members has a U-shaped portion by which it is permanently interlocked to the thin board to which it is attached and by which it is carried. In other words each member of the corner construction includes a U-shaped member with the outer side of ,the U bent reversely and extending beyond the U-shaped portion vand laterally in a terminal L-shaped portion with the thin board of the members to be joined disposed within the lU-shaped portion and connected to the inner leg of the U by a series United States Patent ice.

2 of interlocking metal lingers pressed froml the joining member into the memberl joined.

With continued reference to the drawing, a box o'r container is contemplated having at least a bot-tom 10, a pair of sides 11, and ends 12. 'Ihe sides and ends 1'1 and 12 may be integral with the bottom 10. In order to provide a box of generally rectangular shape the sides and ends are folded in the same direction at right angles to the bottom .10 and then the adjacent free portions of the sides and ends are fastened together.

In order to provide suitable fastening means a locking joint is provided for each corner with each joint comprising two similar U-shaped members 13 receiving the ends of the boards 11 and 12, such Ushaped members 13 each having one leg provided with struck through portions 14 which deline hooks or fingers 15 which extend into the boards 11 and 12.

The outer leg of each U-shaped member 13 has a reversely bent portion 16 terminating in a right angular or hook portion 17 spaced from the mid-portion of the U- shaped member. The portion 16 is adapted to liex suiiiciently to permit the hook portion v17 of an adjoining member to be inserted to t between the `U-shaped member and the reversely bent portion 16 thereof suicient to permit them to be fastened together in a solid connection as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The right angular portion 17 of each of the members is adapted to be readily inserted within or about the L-shaped or hook portion of the other member depending upon whether it is desired to have the end or side of the box outermost and in this condition the box will be maintained in the shape in which it is used with the joint between the portions 16 and 17 providing a strong upright reinforcing portion for the structure.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that la simple joint is provided so that bottom and sides of a box may be disposed in tlat condition until ready for use at which time the sides and ends may be readily folded in the same direction at right angles to the bottom and joined with minimum effort to provide the' box. In like manner the sides may be readily disconnected and the box re* turned toV its ilat condition.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A box comprising la bottom, sides disposed at right angles to said bottom with adjacent sides interconnected with one another at least one interconnection including U-shaped flexible portions fitted about the ends and opposite surfaces of adjacent sides land with the outer legs of such U-shaped portions reversely bent and extended beyond the U-shaped members and turned at right angles to provide L-shaped interlocking portions spaced from the U-shaped portions, one such interlocking portion being receivable Within another of like character.

2. A joint comprising a pair of elongated flexible members, U-shaped in cross section and adapted to receive the edges of walls to be joined therebetween, one of the sides of said |U-shaped member constituting an integral Wall engaging and retaining portion, and the other of said sides being reversely extended and terminating in an L- shaped portion, spaced from the U-shaped member and having 'the end of the L-shiaped portion received in the space between said other side and reversely bent portion.

3. A box comprising Ia bottom, sides disposed at righ-t angles to said bot-tom with adjacent sides interconnected 3 with one another nt least one interconnection including IJ-shaped exible portions tted about the ends and opposite surfaces of adjacent sides and with the outer legs of such U-shaped portions reversely bent and extended beyond the *U-s'haped members and turned at right angles 5 to provide L-shaped interlocking portions-spaced from the' U-shaped portions, one such interlocking pontion being receivable within another of like character, with the terminal portion of the L-shaped portion extending between the reversely bent portion and outer ieg of the 10 other of the interconnections.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Dunbar Dec. 27, 1904 Hall May 31, 1910 Keith Nov. 2, 1915 Wheary Aug. 7, 1917 Bulick Feb. 21, 1939 Smith Dec. 12, 1939 Petersen June 26, 1945 Cheatham Aug. 1, 1950 

